Necktie clasp



Sept. 11, 1934. E, S Mlx 1,973,009

NECKTIE CLASP Filed March 29, 1954 11 'afwz' .5, 18 4.o M n Max' Patented Sept. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE NECKTIE CLASP a Application March 29, 1934, Serial No. 718,010

1l Claims.

This invention relates to necktie clasps.

One object of the invention is to provide a necktie clasp particularly adapted for clasping tied four-in-hand neckties or scarfs to shirt l bosoms and possessing, preferably, highly ornamental characteristics in the nature of an article of jewelry which may be readily applied and which is effective for the purposes proposed.

Another object of the invention resides in the l provision of a necktie clasp of the nature stated, embodying among other characteristics, an outer bar and a spring controlled lever constituting an inner member and to which is connected an automatically adjustable pressure equalizing member which is designed to provide for a two or more spaced point clasping action on materials arranged between the same and the bar so as to compensate for effective clasping of materials of varying thicknesses and in such a manner as to prevent the clasp from pivoting or swiveling out of operative position when used particularly for securing neckties to a shirt bosom.

Astill further object of the invention resides in the provision of a highly ornamental and attractive clasp for the purposes stated and which possesses simplicity and economy in the matter of production and which is durable and effective in operation.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and set forth in the claims hereto appended and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, it

l being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacricing any of the advantages thereof.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on a line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the invention, showing an inclined position of the automatically adjustable pressure equalizing member when pressure is exerted upon the outer end of the operating lever.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional View of the invention applied to fasten or connect a tied four-in-hand necktie to a shirt, it being understood that the same application would be made where it is desired to merely connect the ends of the tied necktie or scarf together.

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing material 60 crowded to uneven thicknesses between the bar 1 and the automatically adjustable pressure equalizing clasp member.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, the' reference character 1 indi- 65 cates a relatively long, narrow, straight bar of precious metal or other suitable material having its back or inner face serrated or otherwise roughened, as at 2, and which has one end bent backwardly upon itself to provide an outwardly directed inclined yieldable supporting arm 3, which is bifurcated at 4, and having spaced ears 5 at opposite sides of said bifurcation.

A relatively short operating lever is designated by the reference numeral 6. This lever is preferably narrow andtapered forwardly and it is pivotally connected to the aforesaid ears 5 of the supporting arm 3 by means of ears 7 projecting from the sides of the lever intermediate the ends thereof and a pivot pin 8 which extends trans- 80 versely of the clasp through said ears 5 and 7.

An automatically adjustable pressure equalizing clasping member A is pivotally mounted on the inner end of the aforesaid lever 6 and is formed to provide two spaced gripping or clasping points and mounted with relation to the lever 6 to compensate for varying thicknesses of material such as the edge of the shirt band or button edge and various thicknesses of the tie from side to side.

The automatically adjustable pressure equalizing member, by virtue of its form, and partcularly because of its pivotal mounting on the lever 6, prevents the clasp from pivoting or swiveling out of operative position on the shirt and necktie as is common in so many other types of similar devices on the market. To these ends, the automatically adjustable pressure equalizing member may consist of a reversely curved narrow strip 9 of resilient or spring metal of a width preferably less 1 00 than the width of the bar 1, and including an intermediate portion 10 and oppositely disposed curved ends 11 and 12, with the extremities of the portions 11 and l2 being directed outwardly away from the bar 1, as shown.

The intermediate portion 10 of the reversely curved element 9 is provided at the sides thereof with spaced ears 13 to receive a pivot 14 extending transversely therethrough and loosely through an eye 14 formed at the outer end of the afore- 110 said operating lever 6, whereby to suspend the automaticallyv adjustable pressure equalizing member A from the inner end of the operating lever 6 for clasping cooperation with the bar 1 and preferably at a point intermediate the ends of the bar 1.

- The entire inner face of the reversely curved strip 9 may be serrated or otherwise roughened, as indicated at 16, to provide for effective clasping oi' materials between the bar 1 and said equalizing member A. v

The operating lever 6 and the equalizing member A are normally maintained in operative clasping relation with the bar 1, by means of a suitable spring 17, which is mounted on the aforesaid pivot pin- 8,'between the ears 5 and '1, with lone terminal 18 of said spring bearing against the underside of the operating lever 6 and the other terminal 19 bearing against the yieldable supporting arm 3 adjacent the bifurcation 4.

The tension of the spring 17 is such as to throw the inner end of the operating lever 6 downwardly with'relation-to the bar 1 and consequently exert such pressure upon the ends of the equalizing member A as to provide for effecting clasping of materials between the same and the bar 1. Thumb or finger pressure on the outer end of the operating lever 6 will move the operating lever 6 outwardly from the bar 1 on the pivot 8 against the tension of the spring 17 and mov'e the equalizing member A away from the inner face of the bar 1, and the equalizing member A being pivoted to the lever-6 the equalizing member A may have swinging movement when out of engagement with the bar 1 or maintained on the bar, as should be understood.

When pressure is released from the outer end of the operating lever 6, the'equalizing member A will move into clasping relation with the bar 1 ',under the influence of the aforesaid spring 17, and

if the clasping portions v1l and ,12 of the reversely curved strip 9 are substantially parallel withv the bar 1, when thelever is released, these two spaced claspingV portions 11 and 12 of the reversely curved strip 9 will simultaneously enter into clasping relation with the bar 1 or with evenly and uniformly disposed materialen the bar l. If the material on the bar is of different thicknesses or disposed with relation to the bar 1 when the operating lever is released, A.one or the other of said clasping portions 11' and 12 of the reversely curved strip 9 will rst engage the thicker material on the bar and the other clasping portion immediately take clasping position with relation to the thirmer material on the bar. If the reversely curved strip 9 is on an incline when the operating lever is released, the lower clasping portion on the equalizing member A will engage the material followed quickly by the other clasping portion andv by virtue of the two point clasping oi' the material by the equalizing member A, an effectual clasping of the material results. The result is that uniform or non-uniform thicknesses of material between the bar 1 and the reversely curved member 9 are efectually clasped, due to the pivotal mounting of the equalizing member A. In some instances, wrinkled or buckled material may be clasped between the bar 1 and the intermediate portion of the equalizing member A, which portion is spaced at all times from the bar 1. v

In the-use of the clasp for the purpose of hold- `ing or fastening neckties to shirt. bosoms, it is simply necessary to exert inward pressure onthe outer end of the operating lever 6 against the tension of spring 17. This separates' the automatically adjustable pressure equalizing lever or member A from the bar 1. pivotal movement of the pressure equalizing member so as to adjustably accommodate the reception between the outer end of the latterland the outer end of the bar 1 of materialof. varying thicknesses. The clasp is moved horizontally or transversely of the ends of the tied four-in-hand necktie with the bar l on .the outer side of the materials and the automatically adjustable pressure equalizing member on the inner side of the necktie or the shirt. When the clasphas been properly positioned it is simply necessary to release pressure on the operating lever 6 when the clasp automatically functions for clasping purposes as should be well understood.

The pivot 14 provides for- The bar 1, may becomposed of gold, silver or other precious metal and may take form other than a flat strip vand it may be embellished by scroll or other design, initial or emblem characterizations.

What is claimed is: y

1. A clasp for neckties comprising a relatively long narrow bar having one end bent back upon itself in spaced relation thereto to form a supporting arm, a relatively short lever pivotally ion mounted on said arm and at its forward end e mounted on said arm and at. its forwardA endV terminating vsubstantially intermediate the ends of the bar, a spring having engagement with said lever to yieldably force the inner end of the lever normally toward said banand an adjustable pressure equalizing clasp member pivotally connected to the inner end of said lever, said member including a reversely curved element having spaced clasping portions for clasping cooperation with said bar forwardly and rearwardly of the outer end of said lever.

3. A clasp for neckties comprising a relatively long narrow bar having one end bent back upon itself in spaced relationv thereto to form a supporting arm, a relatively short lever pivotally mounted on said arm and at its forward end terminating substantially intermediate the ends of the bar, a spring having engagement with said lever to yieldably force the inner end of the lever normally toward said bar, and 'an adjustable pressure equalizing clasp member pivotally connected to the inner end of said lever, said member including a reversely curved element having spaced clasping portions for clasping cooperation with said bar forwardly and rearwardly of the outer end of said lever and also having a clasping portion offset with relation to said spaced clasping portions and arranged between the latter at the inner end of said lever.

4. A clasp for neckties comprising a bar4 having a yieldable support at one end, a relatively short lever pivoted on said support, means to force the inner end of the lever normally toward the bar intermediate-the ends of the latter, and an automatically adjustable equalizing clasping member pivotally secured to the inner end of said lever for clasping cooperation with said bar.

5. A clasp for neckties comprising a bar having a yieldable support at one end, a relatively short lever pivoted on said support, means to force the inner end of the lever normally toward the bar intermediate the ends of the latter, and an automatically adjustable equalizing clasping mem` ber pivotally secured to the inner end of said lever and including spaced clasping portions for cooperation with the bar.

6. A clasp for neckties comprising a bar having a yieldable support at one end, a relatively short lever pivoted on said support, means to force the inner end of the lever normally toward the bar intermediate the ends of the latter, and an automatically adjustable equalizing clasping member pivotally secured to the inner end of said lever and including spaced curved clasping portions on opposite sides of the pivot for said member for clasping cooperation with said bar.

7. A clasp for neckties comprising an outer member having a support at one end, a, lever constituting an inner member pivoted on said support, means to force the inner end of said lever normally toward said outer member, and an adjustable equalizing clasp member pivotally secured to the said lever and including spaced clasping portions for clasping cooperation with said bar. Y

8. A clasp for neckties comprising an outer member having a support at one end, a lever constituting an inner member pivoted on said support, means to force the inner end of said lever normally toward said outer member, and an adjustable equalizing clasp member pivotally secured to the said lever and including a reversely curved element providing spaced clasping portions for clasping cooperation with said bar.

9. A clasp for neckties comprising an outer member having a support at one end, a lever constituting an inner member pivoted on said support, means to force the inner end of said lever normally toward said outermember, and an adjustable equalizing clasp member pivotally secured to the said lever and including a reversely curved element providing spaced clasping portions and a clasping portion between said spaced clasping portions and offset with relation thereto.

10. A clasp for neckties comprising an outer member having a support at one end, a lever constituting an inner member pivoted on said support, means to force the inner end of said lever normally toward said outer member, and a relatively long narrow adjustable clasping element disposed longitudinally of the outer member and including spaced clasping portions for clasping cooperation With the outer member.

11. A clasp comprising a relatively long narrow. outer member having a support at one end, a lever constituting an inner member pivoted on said support and disposed longitudinally of the outer member `and tapering towards its inner end to a point substantially midway of the ends of said 100 outer member, a relatively long clasping member pivotally connected to the inner end of said lever and of a width less than the width of said outer member and extending longitudinally of said outer member and lever and upon both sides of the pivot thereof with the lever, and means to force the lever and relatively long clasping member normally toward the outer member for clasping cooperation of the relatively long clasping 4 v member with the outer member and permitting unclasping separation thereof.

EDWIN S. MIX. 

